18th October 2005

Auckland Animal Action Tuesday

AAA to campaign against Annah Stretton at Fashion Week

Auckland Animal Action plans to protest Annah Stretton’s use of possum fur during her catwalk at Fashion Week. AAA is opposed to the promotion of possum fur for many animal welfare and conservation reasons.

The Department of Conservation says the fur industry kills so few possums that they have little or no effect on the possum population. AAA believes possum fur is an unsustainable industry, and is concerned that the promotion of it will lead to a demand for more factory-farmed fur.

Spokesperson for the group, Rochelle Rees says, “There is a huge demand for rabbit fur in New Zealand because they are seen as pests. Due to it being cheaper and more economically sustainable, most rabbit fur is now imported from cruel factory farms in China.”

Possums in New Zealand are most frequently caught using the leg-hold trap, banned in more than 89 countries. The device is not limited to catching possums, and in fact catches many off-target animals including Kiwi, Weka, Cats and Dogs. Animals caught in the traps are left suffering and struggling to escape until the hunter returns.

AAA has contacted Annah Stretton with their concerns but has not received a response. Ms Rees says, “Annah Stretton obviously has no concern for conservation or animal welfare. She is irresponsibly contributing to the decline in our Kiwi population, and is promoting the unethical use of a torture device.”

The protest against Annah Stretton’s show will start at 12pm on Wednesday, at 135 Halsey Street in Auckland’s Viaduct.

ENDS

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